Shannon/St. Mary's Crowned Under 19 All Ireland Champions

Shannon/St. Mary's were crowned Under 19 All Ireland Champions following a 21-16 win over Ulster Champions Malone in Naas on Saturday.

Shannon/St. Mary's had the advantage of what was a considerable wind in the first half, and the reliable Conor Burns made the most of this with two penalties in the opening twelve minutes. Malone responded a few minutes later with a Tim Durkan penalty.

The Limerick side took full advantage when Malone were reduced to fourteen following a yellow card and No. 8, Craig McCallum produced the first try of the game. Burns converted to increase the lead and leave the score at 11-6 at half time.

Five minutes into the second half and the Parish side were 18-3 to the better following a Dave Evans try, which was converted by Burns. Both sides exchanged penalities and Shannon/St. Mary's led 21-6 heading into the final stages. Following a yellow card to a Shannon/St. Mary's player the Ulster side managed to run in two tries. However, failure to convert the two meant the game finished 21-16 to the Parish team.

Speaking of their success this season, Shannon/St.Mary's Head Coach, Brendan McNamara said, "I was enormously proud of what the lads achieved in winning the Munster title. Munster was always our target, but then getting to the All Ireland Final was just unbelievable."

McNamara added, "We hadn't even considered that we would be lucky enough to reach the final but after the semi-final against Monivea, I could see a resolve in the lads that told me whatever the result, it wouldn't be a lack of effort that would let us down. To be crowned All Ireland Champions is simply out of this world, almost surreal."

The two teams amalgamated at this age group last year, given the difficulties that both sides had in fielding a team to compete at this level. Commenting on what the future holds for this Parish side McNamara admits, " Who knows what will happen going forward, but the partnership in rugby at this level between Shannon and St. Mary's was a great experience and a credit to the people in both clubs that worked to make it happen. My thanks goes to all of them, the parents and particularly to the players for working so hard to and making this a wonderfully memorable experience."